When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Rebecca glared menacingly at me. “Ms. Stovall, since when did you become such a busybody?”

“Go home and argue!” Ashton broke in icily. The steely look that he fixed on Joe was frightening. “You may think nothing of these women, but spare a thought for the Fuller and Quinn Corporations.”

Joe gritted his teeth, palpably displeased. “Enough. Can’t I even eat in peace now? Damn it!” He shook off Kristina’s hands violently, then immediately got up and stalked out of the room.

The others around the table had been shrinking down in their seats ever since the conflict began. Subdued, they now quietly filed out and dispersed. Rebecca had dashed out in chase of Joe, whereas Kristina alone remained in the private room.

I tugged at Ashton’s sleeve and fretted for a moment, then turned to Kristina. “Don’t get Joe riled up. You know better than anyone why he allows you to get close to him.”

Having dispensed that word of warning, I then made to leave with Ashton. Kristina’s next question, however, halted me in my tracks. “Why are you helping me?”

I glanced over my shoulder at Kristina, then replied, “I’m not helping you. It was meant to be a reminder.” Joe’s feelings for Rebecca weren’t to be sniffed at. No matter what had happened, Joe had remained steadfast by Rebecca’s side without considering anyone else. It was obvious that Joe was making ruthless use of Kristina to make Rebecca jealous.

At that moment, Kristina’s smile looked more like a grimace. “It doesn’t matter,” she said bitterly. “Money is all that matters to me. Whatever happens between Joe and Rebecca is none of my business.”

I shrugged, then replied shortly, “Good luck, then.”

I had done more than my part in even mentioning the facts of the matter. Whether Kristina was

all that drama, Ashton and I walked out of the private room and back to our table.

I don’t know what he did to her there. Who knows what

but Kristina was already strolling off into the distance,

turned to Ashton, distressed. “When you found Summer

“I’ll send

already a tumult of uneasiness stirring

lips, he complained, “What on earth were the two of you up to? Didn’t you

the empty plates on the table, he asked me apprehensively,

shook my head. “I’m not hungry. We should leave

the two of you stop tormenting me like this? Is there a need to hurt my feelings in this manner? Didn’t you come out to chat with me? Or am I here to serve

to John and shot back, “What’s going

his gaze, then muttered thickly, “Nothing much.” He clearly wished to evade

back to Ashton and said briskly, “Let’s go home

us to sit down. “Hey, are the two of you even sincere about meeting me? Shouldn’t you behave as if you’re interested in me, at least? How can you just get up and walk off like that? Both of you look